Rough Ride (18 page)

My father winning the last stage of the Ras Tailteann 1963
in the Phoenix Park

My brother Raphael winning a stage of the Ras Tailteann in
Carrick on Suir in June '83. Second is Sean Kelly's brother Vincent

Ras Tailteann '83 – my only ever ride in the race
they call the 'big one'

Racing towards the yellow jersey in the Milk Race '83
with Sean Yates on my wheel

Milk Race '83, the race that nearly made me
a star – accepting the yellow jersey

Milk Race '83 – crossing the finish line at Harrogate
having lost 13 minutes and the yellow jersey

On the attack with Frenchman Christian Sobota in
the colours of my French club C.C. Wasquehal, June '85

Dede Chappuis – St Etienne time trial, Tour de France, 1986

Brand new anorak. Grand Bornand '86 – my first meeting with
the RMO team. LEFT TO RIGHT: Jean Louis Gauthier, myself,
Bruno Huger, Christian Mogore, Michel Vermote, Bernard Thevenet,
Thierry Claveyrolat, Simon Regis, Patrick Clerc, Marcel Russenberger,
Pierre Le Bigaut, Frances Castaing, Vincent Barteau, Gilles Mas, Per
Pedersen, Jean Claude Vallaeys, Bernard Vallet, Andre Chappuis

Helping hand: Bernard Thevenet always stood on the
finish line until all of his riders came in. He had to wait 35 minutes
for me here at L'Alpe d'Huez – '86 Tour

Tough at the top. After finishing the stage to Alpe d'Huez, '86

Alone on the mountain: struggling on the Galibier – '86 Tour

Nearing the end of my pain: 100 metres from the finish line of the Mount Ventoux time trial – '87 Tour